Margaret Thatcher Dies, Aged 87

The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Lady Thatcher, has died, aged 87.

Lady Thatcher will receive a Ceremonial funeral with military honours at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The UK’s current Prime Minister, David Cameron, said in a statement:

“It was with great sadness that l learned of Lady Thatcher’s death. We’ve lost a great leader, a great Prime Minister and a great Briton”.

Lady Thatcher successfully contested three elections as leader of the Conservative Party from 1979 – 1990.

As Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher dealt with coal miners’ strikes, survived an assassination attempt by the IRA, introduced the deeply unpopular “poll tax” or Community Charge and led Britain to war in the Falklands.

By breaking the unions, privatising national industries and encouraging home ownership, Thatcher aimed to salvage the economy of the UK, which had been weakened by strike action in the late 1970’s.

Dubbed “the Iron Lady” because of the strength of her leadership and memorable speeches such as “the Lady’s not for turning”, Margaret Thatcher will be best remembered for spearheading tough politics in tough times.